Mission & Values

ReCoHere improves the health of people, the environment, and the planet by reducing waste and connecting people to resources.

Mission

ReCoHere is a sociocratic cooperative operating in Central Oregon among allied people, businesses, and organizations. We improve the quality of life and health of people, the environment, and the planet in a way that is equitable, inclusive of diversity (including physical, social, and mental diversity), financially and socially prosperous, and considerate of both short and long term impacts. Primarily our activity is focused on reducing waste output, trash in landfills, reuse and upcycling of items, connecting marginalized people to low cost or free goods, and educating people and children on how they can improve their impacts.

Aim

ReCoHere identifies and actualizes financially sound methods for achieving the mission within the cooperative or within member businesses in the cooperative. Projects which align with the Mission are pursued, with regards to priority, among Members, with shared work and financial input, and shared financial profit or loss.

ReCoHere is a Cooperative!

What does that mean?

A cooperative organization of multiple different people, businesses, agencies, non profits, etc who have come together to work on aligned projects and ideas. We maintain our independence, but also choose to work together when it makes sense.

We have multiple groups, or stakeholder classes, depending on how someone wants to be involved. Most of us are in the Management and Board classes, which involve managing projects and business aspirations, and maintaining our mission and inclusivity agendas. We also have an affiliates organization class, for groups that we work with, but aren’t directly involved in decision making. We also have a Material Suppliers class, who we collect materials from (at a fee). We may also have employees, and customers in their own classes. All members in all classes will receive profit sharing, and other various benefits.

ReCoHere is a Sociocracy!
What's that?

It’s important to us that all types of people are represented and cared for in our business. Marginalized people, including ethnicity and neurodivergence, often are underrepresented in business, and we won’t accept that. We are careful and intentional about how we work together, making adjustments for people’s needs, and space for them to express. We all must unanimously consent to a project or idea before it moves forward, but we also acknowledge that ideas won’t be perfect, and will support them if they are “good enough for now” and not harming others.

How can I join?

Start by talking to a member and trying to understand what we are doing, and what our mission is. Our goals and sociocratic structure isn’t just lip service, it’s real and a fundamental part of our business. We are serious about inclusion and sustainability.

Come to a meeting or event and interact with our members. Figure out which member class you would fit into, and let us know what types of roles you are interested in. This isn’t just a club, it’s a real alliance of businesses and people who do serious work together. Our members are passionate and dedicated, and were all personally involved in these efforts, often without financial compensation, before forming ReCoHere.

Our meetings are all open to potential members, but we also have a monthly meeting which is focused on meeting new members. Attendance and communication are critical to our operations.

When you are ready to join, we have a simple form to fill out, and depending on your class there may be a fee. Our current Board members will vote, and it needs to be unanimous. If you are voted in, congratulations! Then it is time to get to work!